FAMILY CLUPID.« ALOSA. 257 



tliat excellent observer Mr. Yarrcl. In the European Siiad, the opercle is rounliened, with a 

 number of raised lines placed obliquely; color above bluish grcj-. In our Shad, the scales 

 are rhomboidal ; the dorsal fin differs in the number, arrangement and position of its rays ; 

 the pectorals have an accessory scale, and the first ray is shorter than the two following ; the 

 position of the ventral is far behind the first ray of the dorsal ; the base of the anal shorter, 

 with other differences which occur to the careful observer. 



Unlike most of the genus which appear to reside in the northern seas, this species comes 

 to us from the south to deposit its spawn. We infer this to be the fact, from the chronological 

 order of its occurrence along our coast. At Charleston, according to my friend Dr. Holbrook, 

 they appear in January or February, later at Norfolk, and here the latter end of March or 

 beginning of April, their appearance being accelerated or retarded by the mildness or severity 

 of the season. On the coast of Massachusetts, they appear during the month of May, and 

 farther north they have been observed still later. There are several varieties, which have 

 suggested various popular names. On the coast of Carolina, the fatter ones have the tail 

 swollen, and are called Cluh-taih. Formerly, a large variety, supposed to be an old fish, and 

 weighing from ten to twelve pounds, were frequently taken in the Hudson river, under the 

 name of Yellow-backs. They were distinguished immediately by their large scales and the 

 brassy color of their backs, and are now seldom seen. In those which ascend the Connecti- 

 cut, the bodies are more cylindrical, with a quantity of mucus distributed over the body, 

 which gives it a slimy appearance obvious to the touch and the eye. They are considered 

 superior to those on our coast. Upon entering the Hudson river, they ascend one hundred 

 and fifty miles to spawn. They descend in the latter part of May, when they are called 

 Back Shad, and are lean and scarcely fit to eat. In abundant seasons, they are sold at from 

 si.x to ten dollars per hundred, and are packed away in salt. Of late years, it has been 

 observed that they are more scarce, being driven away by the increasing number of nets set for 

 their capture. Thirty years since, they were caught in large fyke or hoop-nets, which could 

 only be set in shallow places, leaving the main channel of the river open. These, however, 

 have been superseded by gill-nets, which are attached to long spears, and oii'ii set in from 

 seven to ten fathoms of water, nearly blocking up the whole channel. It is easy to foresee, 

 that before many years, the shad will be driven entirely from the river. Wc know ol several 

 individuals who have a capital of froin six to eight hundred dollars invested m m\6, boats, etc. 

 for this fishing ; and from information derived from various sources, have no doubt, that along 

 the course of this river, there is a capital invested in the shad fishery alone of nearly half a 

 million of dollars. 



I am not able to state whether the Shad is found fartlier nortli than the coast of New- 

 Hampshire. 



Fauna — Part 4. 33 



